World Bank Report Highlights Economic Threat of Heat Stress on Bangladesh's Garment Sector
A World Bank report has highlighted the severe economic impact of heat stress on Bangladesh's garment sector, estimating losses of up to $1.8 billion annually. The report, titled 'A Livable Future: Protecting Jobs and Growth from Extreme Heat in South Asia's Cities,' indicates that extreme heat is causing significant productivity losses, particularly in Dhaka, where it erases the equivalent of 465,000 full-time jobs each year. The garment sector, a major economic driver for Bangladesh, faces a multi-billion-dollar threat due to these conditions. The report also links heat stress to increased risks of violence and harassment against women workers in garment factories. The International Labour Organization, International Finance Corporation, and Cornell University's Global Labor Institute estimate that the apparel sectors in Bangladesh and other South Asian countries could lose up to $65.8 billion in export earnings by 2030 if the issue is not addressed. 
